Best solution to access Excel books or CSV files that are on the cloud

[Achartuni]

Hello, we're reviewing what's the best way to access files that are available on the cloud. I would like to know what's the easiest service (Google Drive, OneDrive, DropBox, FTP Server) to connect via Power BI in order to access files that are uploaded there. 

An user has a local file, then uploads it to the service that is the easiest to connect via Power BI so we can all access said file. The shared file will most likely be private and therefore some authentication will be needed. 

Any advice?

[v-yetao1-msft · Accepted solution]

Hi @Achartuni 

The cloud platform we use to store files or excel is OneDrive . We can connect to OneDrive through Desktop and Service .

Briefly introduce you to these two methods of obtaining excel on OneDrive .

(1)Desktop

We connect to OneDrive through Web connector . Copy the link of the excel in OneDrive and then enter the link in Web connector .Detail info you can refer to the link below .

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/connect-data/desktop-use-onedrive-business-links

(2)Service

Click Get Data => Get Files =>OneDrive ，choose the excel you want ,and connect .Then Import or connect the excel to Service .More info about connect to OneDrive in Service you can refer to the link below .

https://www.brainstorminc.com/blog/onedrive-files-to-microsoft-powerbi

Best Regards

Community Support Team _ Ailsa Tao

If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

[Greg_Deckler]

@Achartuni Power BI has very good integration with OneDrive.